On March 16, 2018, at approximately 2:18 p.m., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a three vehicle, double fatal, crash reported near milepost 45 on US-97 in Sherman County, Oregon. Preliminary investigation revealed a black 2010 Mercedes station wagon, operated by Masiel Pete, age 58, from Maricopa, Arizona, was traveling southbound when he lost control on a slush covered roadway. Pete’s vehicle crossed into the northbound lanes where he sideswiped a blue 2016 Peterbilt commercial motor vehicle that was pulling a box trailer, operated by Cary William Pickner, age 51, from Eagle Creek, Oregon. After sideswiping the commercial motor vehicle, Pete was struck broadside by a northbound black 2008 Nissan pickup, operated by Anthony Guerrero De La Paz, age 25, from Moses Lake, Washington. Pete and his right front passenger, identified as Debra Mary Grosbusch, age 50, also of Maricopa, Arizona, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Pickner, De La Paz, and De La Paz’s passenger, identified as Rachel Nicole Tapparo, age 20, from LA Verne, California, were transported via ground ambulance to Mid-Columbia Medical Center in The Dalles, Oregon, where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries. Speed and road conditions are being considered as possible contributing factors of the crash.
